“Where are we?” she asked, her voice husky with sleep.
“Angel’s place,” he replied. “His lake house. Upstate.”
She turned her head, taking in the trees, the stillness, the sharp scent of water and pine that drifted in through the cracked window. Her lips parted in awe.
“It’s so beautiful. It looks like something out of a fairy tale,” she murmured.
Nikos cut the engine. The van groaned as it settled. He stepped out, stretching sore muscles as Markos opened the back of the van.
Birds trilled in the early morning hush, their calls echoing through the woods. The rhythmic hush of waves lapping against the shore combined with the chipper melodies. For a moment, everything felt almost normal.
He stepped up to the side of the van just as Kiki tumbled out, straight into his arms.
“Oof,” he caught her easily, the soft weight of her body pressed against his chest.
She gave him a crooked grin. “Good morning.”
He looked down at her—and the weight in his chest shifted even as his arms tightened around her.
Yeah, he was in trouble.
Because in that moment—with her messy hair, sleepy eyes, and half-smile—he knew. He was falling in love with her. Fast, completely, without a doubt.
“Let me know when the wedding is, bro,” Markos muttered, eyeing him with amusement.
Nikos flushed and shot his brother a warning glare over Kiki’s head. Markos had already picked up the small bag Kiki had packed and slung it over his shoulder.
He sighed as he realized that neither he nor Markos had a change of clothes. They would have to raid Angel’s closet until they could find a clothing store nearby.
He chuckled, hearing Markos’s frustrated whispers about flower-powered death traps, and silently praying Angel had a respectable vehicle hidden nearby. Kiki grinned up at Nikos, her eyes sparkling with mirth as he steadied her. Reluctant to release her, he laid his hand along her lower back as they walked toward the cabin steps.
He would contact Angel and the rest of the team while Markos double-checked the perimeter. He looked back one last time at the road disappearing into the woods. The fog was thicker now, coiling like smoke across the ground. It would burn off once the sun rose higher.
“If you make a list of anything you need, either Markos or I will drive into town later and get it. We’ll probably need to pick up some food, and I know we’ll need some clothes,” he suggested.
“Okay… but I need a shower first,” she said with a sleepy yawn.
“Why don’t you check the house while I check the outside?” Markos suggested, handing him Kiki’s bag.
“Sounds good. I’ll help after I make sure Kiki is settled,” he said.
Markos nodded and headed back down the steps. He turned and walked up to the door. There was a keypad. He grimaced when he heard Angel’s irritated voice.
“What the hell, Nikos? My lake house isn’t your love nest. Buy your own damn place. Do you realize how fucking early itis? I’ve got alarms going off all over the place,” Angel mumbled through a speaker.
Kiki snorted with laughter behind him. He glared, glancing around for the hidden cameras. One was creatively hidden inside what looked like a hornet’s nest in the corner of the porch.
“I need you to call the team, Angel. We have a security situation,” he replied.
“Aw, hell, man. I’ll call them. I can be there in about four hours, maybe less. May take the others longer. How much trouble are you in?”
“Deep. I’ll explain when you get here,” he replied.
“This will be a good test of my security, I suppose. If you need a drink, check out my wine collection in the basement,” Angel added cryptically, “I’m sure I’ve got something that will help.”
Nikos frowned before his expression cleared and he chuckled. A second later, the automatic locking system hummed as Angel unlocked the series of locks and the door swung open. The door looked like it was made of wood, but from the solid feel as he pushed it open further. He imagined it had a solid iron core fitted around the double-paned, bullet resistant window.
Nikos closed the door behind them before he led Kiki up the wooden staircase, the worn treads whispering underfoot as they ascended. Morning light spilled through narrow windows, painting golden bars on the smooth cedar walls. The upper level was warm and open, the scent of wood and fresh pine lingered in the air.
